Scotty, beam me up

There may not be one official favorite for this week's Players because Tiger Woods is on the disabled list, but if there were, it would almost have to be Adam Scott.He won the Byron Nelson Championship last month and finished eighth at Wachovia in his last appearance. That, plus his win at the Players in 2004, has to make him one of the guys to beat. He's been playing well all season, which means there's a good chance he'll be in the mix come Sunday. "This is turning out to be my consistent season," Scott said Wednesday. "I really played well for 2006, a lot of top tens and top fives, and this feels kind of similar."This is the first big tournament in a while without Tiger in the field. Asked if it matters that Tiger isn't playing, Scott smiled and said, "Yeah, it always matters if he's playing. You've got to think he's going to have a chance. He's giving us a little bit of a break. Still, there are so many good players here this week that I think your percentages of winning are only just a little better."Scott works with Butch Harmon, and had this to say about why Butch's students tend to be successful: "Butch has an eye for the golf swing like Tiger plays the game of golf. He just has that ability to see the swing. His best attribute is communication with the players, whether it's Phil or me or a guy who goes to his school. I've watched him teach 27-handicappers. He communicates with them so well that they always get something out of the lesson. I think that's why he's such a good coach."One other footnote about Scott: He might've had a second win last month if he hadn't had to withdraw in Houston. He shot 63 in the first round but was feeling ill with strep-throat-like symptoms. He withdrew after shooting 76 in the second round in chilly, windy and rainy conditions. (Photo: Scott Halleran/Getty Images)